Why physiotherapy is healthcare’s secret weapon

Legendary basketball star Kobe Bryant once famously referred to his physical therapist, Judy Seto, the head physiotherapist of the Los Angeles Lakers and the only female carrying the title of head physiotherapist in men’s professional sports, as his ‘secret weapon’. The athlete attributed his physical prowess to her ongoing care and stated that without it, he would not have scaled such lofty heights in his lengthy career.

Just as Judy is Kobe’s secret weapon, Physical therapy is that of the healthcare profession as a whole.

Physiotherapy is a rehabilitation profession with a presence in all health care delivery streams.

While physicians are referred to as MDs and nurses as RNs, physiotherapists are often referred to as PTs.

Physiotherapy is a drug-free healthcare practice. Physiotherapists work in partnership with individuals of all ages to break down the barriers to physical function whether that means working with patients pre and post surgery, helping people come back from illness and chronic disease, injury, industrial and motor vehicle accidents and age-related conditions. Physiotherapists also play an important role in health promotion and disease prevention. Physiotherapy is the treatment of preference for many who suffer from pain whether in the back or neck, or joint pain such as hips, knees, ankles, wrists, elbows or shoulders.

Physiotherapy has proven to be effective in the treatment and management of arthritis, diabetes, stroke and traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and a range of respiratory conditions offering those afflicted with tools and techniques to acquire and maintain an optimum level of function and pain-free living.

Physiotherapy can make a difference in an individual’s ability to live an active, healthy lifestyle. For many seniors, disabled or chronically ill people, physiotherapy is the key to restoring and maintaining a level of physical function that permits independent living. Physiotherapy is one way to successfully push physical limitations to secure the freedom to function.

Physiotherapy benefits include decreasing pain, improving joint mobility, increasing strength and coordination and improved cardio-respiratory function. Everyone can benefit from physiotherapy whether you are living with a chronic illness, recovering from a work injury or suffering after a game at the weekend with friends.

In summary, Physiotherapy is imperative to one’s health and though it is common for people to suffer from aches and pains and without proper treatment and diagnosis, pain can be agonising and affect activities of daily living.

Physiotherapy can greatly impact your standard of living and with a world-class clinic like Physio Centers for Africa, you don’t have to look very far to kick-start your wellness journey.